NUR 210 ANTIHYPERTENSIVES — UNIT 7 STUDY GUIDE (MEMORIZATION VERSION) FALL 2025 Galen

⭐ ANTIHYPERTENSIVES — UNIT 7 STUDY GUIDE (MEMORIZATION
VERSION)
(Everything you must know — short, clean, and high-yield)


1. Physiologic Risk Factors for Hypertension
 Too much fluid (↑ volume)
 Vasoconstriction (↑ resistance)
 High saturated fat & simple carbohydrate intake
 Alcohol ↑ renin → ↑ BP
 Obesity


2. Non-Pharmacologic BP Management
 Stress reduction
 Exercise
 Salt restriction
 Decrease alcohol
 Smoking cessation


3. Major Antihypertensive Drug Classes
 Diuretics
 Beta-blockers (-olol)
 Alpha-blockers
 Calcium channel blockers (CCB) (-pine)
 ACE inhibitors (-pril)
 ARBs (-sartan)


4. Beta-Blockers (-olol)
Examples: Metoprolol (selective β1), Propranolol(not good for asthma COPD
patient) (non-selective β1 & β2)
Action

,  Blocks adrenergic effects
 ↓ HR
 ↓ BP
Uses
 Hypertension
 Dysrhythmias
 Angina
 Good in African Americans when combined with diuretic
Avoid
 Propranolol in asthma/COPD (blocks β2) (metoprolol is the option)


5. Alpha-Blockers (Prazosin) high blood pressure and BPH and we don’t
take it with tamsulosin
Action
 Blocks alpha receptors → vasodilation → ↓ BP
Uses
 Hypertension
 Heart failure
 BPH
 Good monotherapy for African Americans
Side Effects
 Dizziness, headache
 Peripheral edema, weight gain
 Urinary incontinence
 Elevated liver enzyme
 Orthostatic hypotension
 Erectile dysfunction
 Safer for asthma and diabetics


6. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) (-pine)

,Examples: Amlodipine, Verapamil, Diltiazem
Action
 Blocks calcium movement in/out of cells → vasodilation & ↓ HR
Uses
 HTN
 Angina
 Dysrhythmias
 Peripheral vascular disease
 Effective as monotherapy in African Americans
Side Effects
 Flushing
 Headache
 Peripheral edema
 Hypotension
 Bradycardia
 Erectal dysfunction
Contraindication:
Decrease blood pressure
Interaction= OTC cold medication
alcohol, high blood pressure bindings drug, other drug lower blood pressure


7. ACE Inhibitors (-pril) angiotensin 2 = hypothalamus => thirst
Aldosterone= hypokalemia, hypernatremia, and extra water
Ace, pril= don’t allowed angiotensin 2 happens.
Example: Lisinopril
Action
 Blocks angiotensin II formation → vasodilation
 Blocks aldosterone → releases Na+ & water, retains K+
Uses
 Hypertension

,  Heart failure
Side Effects (VERY IMPORTANT)
 Dry, constant nonproductive cough (classic!)
 Hyperkalemia
 Orthostatic hypotension
 Angioedema
 Nephrotoxic
Contraindications
 Pregnancy
 Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone)
 Salt substitutes (contain K+)


8. ARBs (-sartan, -tan)
Example: Losartan
Action
 Blocks angiotensin II from binding to receptors
 No vasoconstriction
 Releases Na+ & water
 Retains K+
Uses
 Hypertension
 Heart failure
Side Effects
 Does NOT cause ACE inhibitor cough
 Dizziness, fatigue
 Hyperkalemia
 Renal dysfunction


9. Nursing Assessment for Antihypertensives
 Vital signs (especially HR for beta-blo ckers & CCBs) <60